Reducing-wheel.



G. A. WEBSTER.

BEDUGING WHEEL, APPLIUATION 11 1111111111111 o.

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` G. A; WEBSTER. BEDUGING WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED AIEA, 1910.

978,596. I Patented ot.25,1910.

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UNITED STATESiPATENT AOFFICE.

GEORGE A. WEBSTER, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR yT0 STAR BRASSMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OFMASSACHUSETTS.

REDUCING-WI-IEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led April 4, 1910. Serial` No. 553,257;

I of Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts,a citizen of the United States, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Reducing-Vheels, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this specification, in explaining its nature.

The object of my invention is to provide a wheel or device of the abovecharacter having a simple, strong, compact structure on which both theengine cord and indicator cord connecting therewith will act at alltimes to wind or unwind evenly without overlapping and withoutdisturbing or changing the planes of the running portions of the cords,especially the indicator cord, or those portions thereof which runbetween the device and the parts with which the cords respectivelyconnect.

It is a further and especially essential object of my invention toprovide a wheel or device which will operate at all times to effect aquick responsive return of the operating parts and prevent the formationof slack in the engine cord connecting with the device.

My invention can best be seen and understood by reference to thedrawings in which- Figure 1 shows the device in plan. Fig. 2 shows thesame in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 ofFig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 are plans showingdetails of construction to whichreference will hereinafter be made. Fig. 6 is a section of a detail ofconstruction to which also especial reference will hereinafter be made.

Referring to the `drawingsz---l is a bracket supporting the apparatusand by which it is secured to any proper fixture or support.

2 is a post exteriorly threaded and which is fixed to the bracket 1threaded shankB.

4 is the enginecord wheel. of which 5 represents the body and 6 thedepending rim of the wheel on which the engine cord '.s wound. The wheelis provided also with a hub 7 interiorly threaded (preferably only inpart) to turn upon the threaded exterior of the post 2 wherefore thewheel will reciprocate up and down on the post as the preferably by awheel is turned in reverse directions. At-

tention is also'directed to theV fact that the hub turns within anannular outer bearing 8 affixed to the bracket 1. This for the purposeof centering -the hub and reducing friction which would otherwise comeupon the threads of the hub and post and which might prevent .a properoperation of the device.

Aflixed to the engine cord wheel or rather to the hub of the wheel andmovable therewith is a spindle 9. This spindle or the sleeve 10 arrangedupon it (constituting Patented oct. 25, 1910.

practically a part of the spindle) forms the part or element on whichthe indicator cord is wound. This cord is prevented from running olf thespindle by a guard 11 which forms a part of a nut 12 having threadedattachment with the end of the spindle.

By the means thus far described there is simultaneously effected both arotary and reciprocal movement of the engine cord wheel and of thespindle on which the indicator `cord is wound as these parts areoperated to turn in reverse directions during the operation of thedevice. In this connection it may be explained that in order to secure aproper even winding or unwinding of the respective cords it is necessaryof course, as is well' known to those skilled in the art, that the sizeof the respective cords should bear proper relationship to the size ofthe threads by which the reciprocal movement of the engine cord wheeland indicator cord spindle is effected as aforesaid.

Referring now to the means for effecting the return of the rotary andreciprocating parts when operated as is customary in devices of thiskind, attention is first directed to the coil spring 13 contained withina rotary casing 14. The casing 14 is annular in form and, as will befurther explained, is arranged to rotate around the bearing 8 affixed tothe bracket 1. The casing comprises a top plate 15 having an insidelateral bearing against the bearing 8; an outer side or rim portion 16and a bottom plat-e 17. The bottom 17 of the casingis provided with adepending annular flange 18 which extends to rest upon or engage thebracket 1 and turn within an annular socket 19 formed in the bracket.The casing is retained by a nut 20 arranged upon the end of the bearing8 and loosely engaging the top plate'l of the casing.

The inner end of the spring 13 is xed to a pin 21 secured to the bracket1 and extendl ing therefrom just alongside the bearing 8 and -into -thecavity of the box. In this connection it will be observed that in orderto provide for the aiiixing of the pin 21 to the bracket and stillenable the casing 14 to properly rotate the depending yflange 19 thereofis arranged just outside the pin. The outer end of the spring 13 issecured Ato the interior of the outer side portion or rim 16 of thecasing by a `vpin 22. The spring is tightened as its box .is rotated andthe box is rotated by the rotation of the engine cord wheel consequentupon the unwinding of the engine cord connecting therewith. For thepurpose of enabling such rotation of the box to be effected and at thesame time permitting of a proper' reciprocal movement of the engine cordWheel and connecting parts the box is provided with a feather 23 whichenters and operates within a slot 24 formed on the inside of the rim 6of the engi-ne cord Wheel.

The engine cord isguided onto and oli vthe engine cord wheel by a guide25 affixed to an eye 26 over which guide and through which eye the cordis adapted to run as it winds onto or oil the wheel. The eye 26 isarranged Within a socket formed in the head ora `post 27 and withinwhich socket the eye may be adjustably turned for varying the angular.position of the guide. The yeye is secured when in adjusted position bymeans of a binding screw 28 vextending through the post. The post isarranged upon an arm 29 secured to the under side of the Lbracket 1. Asshown the arm 29 is secured to the bracket by means of an auxiliaryshank 30 extending from the shank 3 secured to the post 2. The shank 30extends through the arm and has on the end thereoil a binding nut 31which acts to hold the arm 29 against the under side ofthe bracket. Toprevent rotation of the arm and still permit of a rotary adjustmentthereof I prefer `to employ some .positive means apart from theprevention of rotation by the mere frictional contact between the armand bracket. The means shown comprises a plug 32 aiiixed to the bracketand which is adapt-ed to enter any one of a series of openings 33 formedin the side of the arm adjacent the bracket.

In the voperation of the device a pull on the engine cord willsimultaneously affect both the engine cord wheel and :the spindle onwhich the indicator cordis wound, causing theseparts to bezrotated andto rise or move longitudinally with respect to the post 2, the enginecord then becoming unvvound from its wheel andthe indicator cordbecoming wound on its spindle. During this movement also the spring 13will have become tightened, the rotation of the engine cord wheelimparting its rotary motion yto the and feather connection to effect areverse rotary movement of the engine cord wheel and .indicator `cordspindle, causing the engine cord .to .become wound upon the wheel andLthe indicator cord `to unwind yfrom the spindle which continues untilpull upon the engine cord causes a further .reverse movement of theparts as above explained.

It is obvious that various changes .may be made in the constructionembodying my .invention without departing from the essential spiritofthe invention.

Having .thus fully described my invention, I claim and desire to secureAby Letters Patent of the United .States 1. In a reducing wheel, thecombination with a supporting bracket, of .a member or post aiiixedthereto, an engine cord wheel movable rotarily and reciprocablelongitudinally on and with respect to said post as said wheel is rotatedin reverse directions, a spring, vmeans for iixedly securing one end ofsaid spring, a rotary casing containing said spring and to which theother end of said spring is secured, which casing also is arranged toturn in rthe same vdirection as said wheel for contracting said springas said wheel is .turned in one direction or permit the retraction ofsaid 4spring as said wheel turns in a reverse direction, and meansconnecting said Wheel and casing whereby said casing .may be Aturned bysaid wheel and said wheel move longitudinally on said post.

2. VIn a reducing wheel, the combination with a supporting bracket, of amember lor post aiiixed thereto, an vengine cord `wheel movable rotarilyand reciprocable longitudinally on and with respect to said post as saidWheel is rotated .in reversedireotions, a spring, means for ixedlysecuring onevend of said spring, a rotary casing containing said springand to which .the other end of said spring is secured, said casing alsobeing concentric with said wheel to rotate in .unison therewith, andmeans connecting said wheel and casing whereby said casing may be turnedby said wheel and said wheelzmove longitudinally on said post.

3. In a reducing wheel, `the combination with a supporting bracket, of a`member or postaixed thereto, an `engine cord wheel movable rotarily andreciprocal longitudinally on and with respect to said post as said wheelis rotated vin reverse directions, an indicator cord spindle carried byand movable with said wheel, a spring, a casing containing said springand to which casing one end of said spring is secured, means forsecuring the other end of said spring, and means connecting said wheeland casing whereby they may rotate together and said wheel movelongitudinally with respect to said post and casing.

4. In a reducing wheel, the combination with a supporting bracket, of amember or post aliixed thereto, an engine cord wheel movable rotarilyand reciprocal longitudinally on and with respect to said lixed memberor post as said wheel is rotated in reverse directions, an indicatorcord spindle carried by and movable with said wheel, a spring, means forfixedly securing on one end of said spring from the point of saidbracket, and means for securing the other end of said spring whereby itmay become tightened as said wheel is turned.

5. In a reducing wheel, the combination with a supporting bracket, of anexteriorly threaded member or post aHiXed thereto, an engine cord wheelhaving a hub'internally threaded to turn upon said post and said wheelbe reciprocated longitudinally with respect to said post as said wheelis rotated in reverse directions, and an exterior bearing for said hubaiiixed to said bracket.

6. In a reducing wheel, the combination with a supporting bracket, of amember or post aHixed thereto, an engine cord wheel movable rotarily andreciprocal longitudinally on and with respect to said post as said wheelis rotated in reverse directions, an indicator cord spindle carried byand movable with said wheel, a spring, a casing containing said springand to which casing one end of said spring is secured, means forsecuring the other end of said spring from the point of said bracket,and means connecting said wheel and casing whereby they may rotatetogether and said wheel move longitudinally with respect to said postand casing.

7. In a reducing wheel, the combination with a supporting bracket, of anexteriorly threaded member or post aflixed thereto, an engine cord wheelhaving a hub internally threaded to turn upon said post and said wheelbe reciprocated longitudinally with respect to said post as said wheelis rotated in reverse directions, an indicator cord spindle carried byand movable with said wheel, an exterior bearing for the hub of saidwheel aiiixed to said bracket, av spring, a casing containing saidspring and to which casing one end of said spring is secured, means forsecuring the other end of said spring, and means connecting said wheeland casing whereby they may rotate together and said wheel movelongitudinally with respect to said post and casing.

8. In a reducing wheel, the combination with a supporting bracket, of anexteriorly threaded member or post aiixed thereto, an engine cord wheelhaving a hub internally threaded to turn upon said post and said wheelbe reciprocated longitudinally with respect to said post as said wheelis rotated in reverse directions, an exterior bearing for said hubaiixed to said bracket, a spring, a casing for said spring adapted andarranged to rotate upon said bracket and to which casing one end of saidspring is secured, means for retaining the other end of said spring, andmeans connecting said wheel and casing whereby they may rotate togetherand said wheel move longitudinally with respect to said post and casing.

9. In a reducing wheel, the combination with a supporting bracket, of anexteriorly threaded member or post afxed thereto, an engine cord wheelhaving a hub internally threaded to turn upon said post and said wheelbe reciprocated longitudinally with respect to said post as said wheelis rotated in reverse directions, an indicator cord spindle carried byand movable with said wheel, an exterior bearing for the hub of saidwheel affixed to said bracket, a spring, a casing containing said springmounted upon said bracket to rotate thereon and one end of which springis secured to said casing, means for xedly securing the other end ofsaid spring from the point of said bracket, and means connecting saidwheel and casing whereby they may rotate together and said wheel have areciprocatory movement as aforesaid.

GEORGE A. WEBSTER.

Witnesses:

JOHN E. R. HAYES, GEORGE LANGTON.

